CHAPTER – 3
SYNTHETIC FIBRES AND PLASTICS
We all have already studied that the clothes we wear are made up of fabrics.
Let us look around and try to guess the type of fabric from which clothes are made.
SL. NO. ARTICLES TYPE OF FABRIC
1 Shirt NATURAL FIBRES: The
Natural
fibres which are obtained
from natural sources like
2 Sweater Natural plants and animals are
called as natural fibres.
3 Saree Natural
ARTIFICIAL FIBRES:
4 Socks Artificial
The fibres which are
produced by the humans
artificially are called
5 Carpets Artificial artificial or synthetic fibres.
So what are SYNTHETIC FIBRES?
Synthetic fibres are actually a chain of smaller units joined together with each other. These smaller units are called
monomers and the synthetic fibres are called polymers.
Let us now get some ideas about these synthetic fibres.
RAYON:
→ This fibre is also known as artificial silk.
→ It has properties similar to that of the natural silk.
→ It is prepared by the chemical treatment of wood pulp.
→ It is used for making bed sheets and carpets.
NYLON:
→ It is prepared from coal, water and air.
→ It is a completely synthetic fibre.
→ It is strong, elastic, light, lustrous and easy to wash.
→ It is used for making socks, ropes, toothbrushes, curtains etc.
POLYESTER:
→ This fabric does not get wrinkled easily and is easy to wash.
→ It is made up of repeating units of a chemical compound called ester.
→ Terylene and PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) are most familiar forms of polyester.
→ It is used for making clothes, bottles, utensils, wires etc.
ACRYLIC:
→ It is a fabric that has properties similar to that of wool.
→ It is cheaper than natural wool.
→ It is used for making sweaters, shawls and blankets.
WHY DO YOU THINK SYNTHETIC FIBRES ARE SO POPULAR?
→ They are more durable and long-lasting.
→ They are cheaper than the natural fibres.
→ They can be made or dyed into a variety of colours.
→ They are easily available and easy to maintain.
→ They dry up quickly so easy to clean.
However they have some disadvantages as well. The synthetic fibres melt on heating. So if any clothing item made of
synthetic fibre catches fire, the fabric melts and sticks to the body causing severe damage.
PLASTICS:
Plastics are also a type of polymer in which the monomer units have various types of linking arrangements like linear
or cross linked.
Plastics are easily moulded and hence find extensive uses in everyday life.
BUT DO YOU THINK ALL PLASTICS CAN BE EASILY MOULDED?
• These are the types of plastics that get easily
THERMOPLASTICS deformed on heating and so can be bent easily.
• Some examples are polythene, PVC etc.
THERMOSETTING • These types of plastics can not be softened by
PLASTICS heating after there are moulded.
• Some examples are bakelite, melamine etc.
WHY THE DEMAND FOR PLASTICS?
→ They are light weight, available at lower price and easy maintenance.
→ They are non reactive in nature.
→ They are strong and durable.
→ They are poor conductors of heat and electricity.
BUT IS IT SAFE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?
There are mostly two classes of substances on the basis of whether they are good for the environment or not.
1. BIODEGRADABLE SUBSTANCES: These are the substances that get decomposed easily by natural
processes like action of bacteria.
2. NON-BIODEGRADABLE SUBSTANCES: These are the substances that do not get decomposed easily by
natural processes.
Most of the plastics come under the category of non-biodegradable substances and hence are harmful for the
environment. So, for the safety of our environment we should always remember the 5-R rule.
EXERCISES:
Q1. Match the column I with column II correctly.
Column I Column II
(i) Rayon (a) Used to make non-stick cook wares
(ii) Teflon (b) Used for making parachutes and stockings
(iii) Nylon (c) Fabrics do not wrinkle easily
(iv) Polyester (d) Prepared by using wood pulp
Ans
Column I Column II
(i) Rayon (d) Prepared by using wood pulp
(ii) Teflon (a) Used to make non-stick cookware’s
(iii) Nylon (b) Used for making parachutes and stockings
(iv) Polyester (c) Fabrics do not wrinkle easily
Q2. Fill up the blanks:
(a) Synthetic fibres are also called ______ or _______ fibres.
(b) Synthetic fibres are synthesised from raw material called ________.
(c) Like synthetic fibres, plastic is also a __________ .
Answer
a). Man-made, artificial fibres
b). Petro chemicals.
c). Polymer
Q3. Write at least three properties of plastic.
Ans: properties of plastic are
a. They are non-corrosive in nature.
b. They are light in weight and are durable.
c. They do not conduct heat.
d. They are cheaper metals.
e. They are strong and long lasting.
Q4. Why are items made up of plastic are available in all possible shapes and sizes?
Ans: On heating plastic, it can be moulded in any shape or sizes so they are available in all possible shapes and sizes.
Q5. Define non-biodegradable substances. Give four examples of non-biodegradable substances.
Ans: The substances which do not decompose back into natural elements by natural processes even after long interval
of time are termed as non-biodegradable substances. Examples of non-biodegradable substances are plastic bag,
aluminium, other metals and glass etc.
Q6. It is generally written on many articles that they are environment friendly. What does it mean?
Ans: Products that do not cause environmental pollution and get easily decomposed in the environment after use are
called environment friendly products. These are also termed as eco-friendly.
